FOXBOROUGH – Before the season started, when investigations were taking place and Rob Gronkowski was being pieced back together, thoughts of winning the division title were too distant to pay much mind too.

But now that possibility is here and all that stuff that took place before the season now seems distant. All the Patriots have to do is beat the Cleveland Browns and hope that the Miami Dolphins fall to the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

On paper, the Patriots should have no problem handling business against the Browns, who come to town with a 4-8 record. The Patriots, meanwhile, are playing their best football of the season, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

The expectation is that Stevan Ridley will be active today after sitting out last week’s game against the Houston Texans. Wide receiver Aaron Dobson (foot) and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle) have already been ruled out.

A decision will also have to be made on wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, who is battling a hip injury. Austin Collie was brought back this week to provide depth.

We’ll be back with all the pertinent information you need prior to kickoff, and throughout the game. For everything else, follow me on Twitter.